Science and Technology Studies (STS)

Science and technology underpin almost every aspect of modern society. They impinge daily upon our lives and shape our futures. Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary program that covers:

• history & philosophy of science, technology & medicine

• sociology of science & technology

• science & technology policy

• environmental history & sociology

In STS you can study everything from Galileo's conflict with the Church over his sun-centred theory of the cosmos to international law relating to biotechnology regulation, and policy responses to climate change.

STS's emphasis on building critical analytical skills from an interdisciplinary base is widely recognised by international bodies involved in governance, regulation and policy development as providing graduates with invaluable knowledge and experience for addressing the many complex, real world problems facing humanity in the 21st century. The mix of policy-relevant skills and contextual knowledge about science, technology and the environment to which STS graduates are exposed makes them highly employable upon completion of their degrees.

Whether you are enrolled in an Arts, Science, Informatics, Engineering, Education or Commerce degree, you can do a minor in STS and get credit points toward your degree program.

STS subjects also provide a major contribution to the Resources and Environment and Information Studies majors offered by the Faculty of Arts. Students enrolled in either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies degree can pursue STS as a single major or in combination with another major or specialisation.

Major Study

A major in STS consists of 52 or 54 credit points, and comprises:

• STS100 Social Aspects of Science and Technology (or equivalent if taken in 2004 or before)

• STS 219 How Science Works: Theories, Methods and Practices in the Sciences.

• STS 309 Future-tense: Governing Technoscience.

PLUS

• one other STS subject at 200- level,

• two other STS subjects at 300-level,

• one other STS subject at any level.

Minor Study

A minor in STS consists of 28 or 30 credit points from the schedule of the major. The minor includes one subject at each of the three levels. Subjects in the minor may not be cross-counted with any other minor or major study.

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Study Program

For non-Arts students STS offers the following 200 level subjects at 6 credit points